The Return, and the Answers

Did you miss me? I miss you, or more specifically I missed personal internet, space, and more than three pieces of clothing. I'll tell you all about Scotland soon. It was cold and wet, but fabulous. 

But the long awaited answers have arrived... and if you missed the questions, find them here.

Okay, here you go:

1. How long did the Hundred Years War last? (116 Years)

2. Which country makes Panama hats? (Ecuador)

3. From which animal do we get catgut? (Sheep & Horses)

4. In which month do the Russians celebrate the October Revolution? (November)

5. What is a camel’s hair brush made of? (Squirrel fur)

6. The Canary Islands in the Pacific are named after what animal or bird? (Dogs.) [Canares, from the Latin, meaning dogs] (P.S. And the Canary Islands are in the Atlantic Ocean)

7. What was King George VI’s first name? (Albert)

8. What color is a Purple Finch? (Crimson)

9. Where are Chinese gooseberries from? (New Zealand)

10. How long did the Thirty Years War last? (Thirty years. GOT YOU ON THAT ONE.)

Peace.

TIAMLFTA the USA # 21: Reading Packaging

There is an interesting looking package right next to the Oreos in the supermarket. You pick it up because you want to see what’s inside…but wait. You can’t read it. Guess your options are to buy it and try it out, translate the packaging word by word with the pocket-sized Italian dictionary in your purse, or forget about it. Based on my historic patience level you can probably guess which one I pick, unless there is visible chocolate involved. Sometimes it’s just nice to have simple “What is this?” questions answered on the spot. Ah, English. How I miss you.

I assume that it will be hard to transition back to standard, comfortable life in the USA when my time abroad is over. So, to help me get psyched about the Kansas January and term papers that await me in the spring I am starting a list of things I am looking forward to Stateside. Look for more “Things I am Most Looking Forward to About the USA,” or “TIAMLFTA the USA” (pronounced “tee-am-left-a”) for short, in the weeks and months to come!

Wash the Dust Away

TIAMLFTA the USA # 20: Making Smoothies

We do eat a lot of fruit here, but I miss making smoothies. Besides gelato, there aren’t a lot of cool food options here, and on top of that my mom and I were just perfecting our homemade smoothie recipes, not to mention the fact that smoothies made up about 95% of my breakfast menu while I was living in Ireland. Therefore I was pretty hooked and now I’m having withdrawals. Unfortunately it will be a little cold when I get back… but maybe I can put on my parka and some gloves to maintain homeostasis.

I assume that it will be hard to transition back to standard, comfortable life in the USA when my time abroad is over. So, to help me get psyched about the Kansas January and term papers that await me in the spring I am starting a list of things I am looking forward to Stateside. Look for more “Things I am Most Looking Forward to About the USA,” or “TIAMLFTA the USA” (pronounced “tee-am-left-a”) for short, in the weeks and months to come!

Richard Carpenter's Pine Needle Bears!

This is so random, but I had to share.

Artist extraordinaire, Richard Carpenter, is from Idaho. His work is absolutely breathtaking and, as he says on his website, " My bears are made from Pine Needles - gathered from the ground, sorted, washed, trimmed and hand woven. It takes a couple hundred thousand pine needles and over 8 months to make a life-sized bear." Incredible. Check it out at this link.



What I wouldn't give for that kind of patience!

Peace.

TIAMLFTA the USA # 19: Bacon

There’s ham, and there’s bacon, and yes there is a difference. Pasta carbonara in Europe? Don’t get excited when it says “pasta with a cream sauce and bacon.” It’s going to be ham. They’ll call it bacon, but it’s not.

I’m hoping there’s a pound of ready-to-fry all-American bacon in the freezer when I land.

I assume that it will be hard to transition back to standard, comfortable life in the USA when my time abroad is over. So, to help me get psyched about the Kansas January and term papers that await me in the spring I am starting a list of things I am looking forward to Stateside. Look for more “Things I am Most Looking Forward to About the USA,” or “TIAMLFTA the USA” (pronounced “tee-am-left-a”) for short, in the weeks and months to come!